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Bumble bee homes

I have lots of differant types of Bumbles that crusie my yard during the summer. I have yet to try and figure out who they are. Are there any good color reference sheets out there? I don't what to be dragging a book around, but a good plastic coated sheet that I could keep on my deck would be fantastic. Also, anybody had much luck with Bumble houses? I want to start a couple, but have read that they are not very successful.

Re: Bumble bee homes

Totally easy, I do some bee removal work, in this case the bumblebees were in some rubbish under someones house. The people insisted I did not kill them so I just scooped the whole thing into a cardboard box and took them home.

I noticed they had a queen and seemed healthy so I took the time & made a more permanent wooden home for them. In the pic you do not see the nest proper, because they put a little cover over it made of whatever materials they have to hand, held together with wax and propolis. Under the untidy looking fluffy stuff you can see in the pic, is the nest, which is made of an untidy pile of cocoons and honey pots, which look a bit like acorns and acorn cups.

Re: Bumble bee homes

Originally Posted by Omie

Are skunks or possums a problem as vandals to bumble bee nest boxes?

Yes they are. It's important to make sure that your boxs are protected so that they can't get to them. I had a possum over turn my nest and ate all the brood and goodies, I learnt my lesson well on that one.

Re: Bumble bee homes

i see a common design for bumble bee nest boxes has two chambers- a nest chamber and a 'vestibule' empty chamber where they first go in the opening. What is the purpose of this two-room box, and is it necessary to have two chambers?

The little bee returns with evening's gloom,
To join her comrades in the braided hive... -Tennyson

Re: Bumble bee homes

In the 'humblebee" there are designs for making the bumblebee homes. the most intigrated one has a vestibule and layers you can add to it. the simplest one is made with a upside down clay pot under ground with a board and sod on top. I don't think it's entirely neccessary to have a vestibule.

Re: Bumble bee homes

The 2 chamber boxes are indeed used commercially - they capture bumblebee queens (or lure them into the boxes) in the early spring when they are searching for nests, and lock them in with a clump of (honey bee) pollen. After she has started laying and developing her nest, then they are free flying.